The Law & Order: SVU Episode You Forgot Starred Amanda Seyfried

Amanda Seyfried will probably always be known for playing the daffy Karen Smith in "Mean Girls," if only because the character is so beloved, but it's worth noting she has had an impressive career even beyond landing the hit teen movie. Among other things, Seyfried enjoyed a starring role opposite Kristen Bell in "Veronica Mars," as well as playing recurring characters in soap operas "As the World Turns" and "All My Children." 

Seyfried has diversified her slate since her star-making turn, appearing in the "Mamma Mia!" movies and in tougher fare such as "First Reformed" and "Mank," as well as in the "Twin Peaks" reboot on TV. Most recently, she took on her most challenging role yet, as Theranos' infamous leader Elizabeth Holmes in limited series "The Dropout." If there was ever any doubt, Seyfried has more than made it clear by now that she can do it all. 

Funnily enough, the actor's ability to toggle between vastly different genres was exemplified in a 2004 episode of "Law & Order: SVU" which proved that the woman now world-famous for playing a dopey mean girl character could easily go dark when she needed to.  

According to Business Insider, Amanda Seyfried appeared in the sixth episode of "Law & Order: SVU" Season 5, entitled "Outcry," as a missing high schooler named Tandi, "who claims she was raped by construction workers." However, Tandi's story soon falls apart under intense questioning, and the ensuing trial gets increasingly dramatic and complex as a result. 

InStyle clarifies that detectives Stabler (Christopher Meloni) and Benson (Mariska Hargitay) gradually start to believe that the real rapist may be Tandi's stepfather, though army cadet students were first accused. However, the detectives discover that Tandi's stepfather's boss committed the terrible act. Although he's ultimately found not guilty, "there's hope for justice when another victim comes forward," the outlet notes.

Seyfried's career feels like it's still blossoming, almost as though we haven't seen everything the talented performer has in her arsenal just yet. As she joked in an interview with Deadline, "I started really big; it was a stroke of luck," referring to the fact that "Mean Girls" was Seyfried's first-ever film role. Likewise, doing a bit of everything is part of the actor's well-honed "survival technique," to ensure she's never without work. 

Judging by how far Seyfried has come, even since her busy breakout year, it's increasingly difficult to imagine that happening.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).